My Apocalypse Territory

"Have you heard, the World Tree Academy's school year starts in three days, and your eldest son is just about twelve years old, right? He's the right age to enroll."

In the square in front of the adventurer guild, two adventurers who had just returned to Green Shadow were chatting as they walked, having just completed a mission.

One of them held a fresh copy of the 'adventurer's report.'

News about the 'World Tree Academy' had been circulating for a few days, but the information about the academy could still be seen prominently in every newly printed newspaper.

Hearing his teammate's words, the four-star adventurer Zhang Erniu didn't take it seriously, "What's the use of learning that rubbish knowledge? It's better to practice sword skills. In two more weeks, my son will turn twelve, and I plan to let him take an Awakening Potion. The kid has good talent, and the success rate is not low. After his Awakening, I'll take him out for training. Who knows, he might become even stronger than me in the future."

"No, the World Tree Academy offers not only cultural classes but also basic Martial Path courses. The aim is to build a solid foundation for those under sixteen who have not yet awakened. And it's all free education."

"Free?" Zhang Erniu scoffed, "I'm not short on money. What good is something that's free? And you say it's necessary to study both cultural and combat skills; I might as well teach him myself."

His companion felt helpless.

This bull was just too stubborn and short-sighted. If it weren't for the loyalty Zhang Erniu showed on a regular basis, and their strong relationship, he wouldn't even bother trying to persuade him.

Then, he folded the newspaper, highlighting the most crucial words in front of Zhang Erniu:

"Look here, instructors from the Extreme Martial Arts Hall have joined, and they've divided the classes into cultural and martial classes. Also, the academy boasts the finest teaching staff. Do you think your level of instruction can compare with those real experts?"

"Well... not all instructors could be experts."

"Look at this sentence: Awakening before the age of sixteen could damage one's core. The World Tree Academy's approach is to first train and enhance physical fitness to the limit, and then break through with one's own strength. This way, the foundation is solid, and once someone becomes an Awakener, their power is much stronger."

Eventually, Zhang Erniu decided to enroll his eldest son, Zhang Shuiben.

The initial batch of students varied from six to sixteen years old, with most enrolling in cultural classes. As for the Martial Arts class, it was open to students from twelve to sixteen with a certain physical standard — simply put, they couldn't be too skinny or weak.

Young boys and girls aspiring to the Martial Path could potentially transfer to the Martial Arts class if they performed well in the end-of-term Martial Arts assessments.

On the opening day of 'World Tree Academy,' over five thousand students below the age of sixteen enrolled.

When Zhang Erniu arrived at the academy with his son Zhang Shuiben, the place was already packed to the rafters.

The impressive teaching buildings, fountains continuously emitting Source Qi, and various new types of training equipment.

Some seen before, and others not.

In terms of strength, four-star adventurer Zhang Erniu wasn't weak, but his knowledge and skills were indeed lacking.

It wasn't just Zhang Erniu; this was the case for many adventurers. They had decent Combat Power, but other areas were rather average. After all, it had only been a few months since the apocalypse, and with times pressing, everyone could only constantly push their potential to increase their strength and had no time to learn other knowledge.

But this batch of students was different.

Green Shadow hadn't yet reached the point where everyone was needed on the battlefield, so there was the option to develop in multiple areas. The Martial Arts curriculum not only included basic methods of strengthening the body and fighting techniques but also outdoor survival skills, general knowledge of the Demonized Beast Atlas, among others.

Advanced classes also included teachings of Cultivation Skills, Combat Skills, and allowed for minors in Rune Studies, Pharmacy, Manufacturing Science, Cooking, and more.

The goal was not only to cultivate combat-focused talents but also research-focused, production-focused, and management-focused talents.

The main reason Zhang Erniu made up his mind was that forcing an Awakening before the Basic Period could damage one's Core, but what he valued most was the academy's elite classes.

Indeed,

Cultural classes were all standard, but among the Martial Arts classes, three out of twenty were elite classes!

Standard classes were free of charge, whereas elite classes were openly charging fees.

Before the apocalypse, schools doing such a thing would have been reported in minutes.

However, upon seeing the word 'fee,' Zhang Erniu was not shocked but pleased. We're not lacking money. If it means my kid can get a two-lap head start at the beginning line, that's what matters.

The slots were already reported.

The Source Crystals were also prep.

However, enrollment into the special class still had its thresholds.

They only recruited students with a certain martial arts foundation, or simply, Awakeners—after all, Awakeners under sixteen were very rare, and unless it was a forced awakening, they were basically little geniuses.

The first threshold assessment was very simple.

Before becoming an Awakener, tests would invariably involve punching power, speed, reaction, and physical strength.

The World Tree Academy also had these basic facilities.

Bang!

Bang bang!

"His punching power is nearly 1000kg, almost twice that of someone who's just awakened, and he's still just a kid!"

Zhang Erniu looked over and saw a young-faced child standing in front of the Punching Power Tester, his complexion turning slightly red from gathering strength.

He couldn't help but be astonished, as big kids in his household who had soaked in Body Tempering Liquid only had a punching power of a little over 300kg, whereas a typical person who had just awakened had a punching power of over 500kg.

Where did this monster pop up from? And he's said to be only twelve years old.

He soon found out that the child came from an orphanage and was a reserve apprentice of the Martial Arts Hall.

"Your physique has reached its limit, it's about time for your awakening, come, stand in front of this stele."

Already a Level 1 mentor, Cai Jiajia guided him, and casually explained to the others, "This stone stele, standing at 2.35 meters tall, is also known as the 'Awakening Stele'. It has only one function—to guide the blood and qi within the body to break through the bottleneck, aiding ordinary people in awakening."

"After our research, we found that if we first train our physical constitution to the limit before awakening, then rely on our own strength to awaken, the foundation will be more stable, making future cultivation and breakthroughs even simpler."

As she said this, she placed a hand on the side of the stele, channeling Source Power into it, causing the stele to light up instantly.

At the same moment, the reserve apprentice with nearly a thousand kilograms of punching power also extended his hand, pressing against the front of the stele.

In an instant,

blood and qi circulated, flushing through.

The reserve apprentice let out a low growl, and an aura unique to Awakeners began to spread.

The aura was still weak, but the awakeners present, who had never witnessed such a breakthrough method, were seeing it for the first time.

"Come, try your punching power again."

The twelve-year-old Awakener stood in front of the Punching Power Tester and threw out a punch.

Ding!

1998kg!

Zhang Erniu and the other surrounding adventurers had their eyes widen.

With just his punching power, he could already dominate Second-tier Awakeners!

And he had only just awakened.

Was this the awakening method promoted by the World Tree Academy? Indeed, it was as formidable as expected!

The child's tuition could be ten times more expensive, and they would still pay!

...

Having completed a new strategic step in the territory, and effortlessly reaped another harvest of leeks, Tang Yu once again devoted his energy to cultivation.

In the blink of an eye, another month had passed.

On this day,

Tang Yu gathered all the high-ranking officials of the territory.